s50 vs s52.

[qnz30]

i already have an m50 in my e30 and im looking for an upgrade. so i figured id ask the e36 guys what engine would be the better choice if my goal is at least 250hp at the wheels. and fi in the future.. preferably turbo.
-thanks

[bimmer speeder]

I thought the S50 was the better of the two only because its OBD1 and you can mess with the computer. They originally come out in 240hp, or so I was told :dunno.

[triggrhaapi]

I prefer the S50 because it's revvier, but a good S52 has it's own kind of charm too.

[1rstbmw!]

OBDI S52 all the way.

[Big Empty]

Whatever you can get your hands on, they both are very capable of 250rwhp.

[99AMGJ]

I heard the s52 has more torque

[Big Empty]

You heard right.

[bimmer speeder]

I heard like only 3 ft/lb more :dunno. Is that even right. I had my doubts.

[Big Empty]

3.2L has about 15 more ft-lbs of torque

[bimmer speeder]

Is that the only difference between the s50 and s52? Why would BMW make a whole different motor for just 15 ft/lb of torque?

[Big Empty]

I don't know, people like more power? They didn't make a whole new motor, just based it off the newer m52 2.8L motor, which is not the same as the s50 which was based off the m50 2.5L. In fact, most people think that the BMW took shortcuts in devoloping the S motors for North America. Really, they are just stroked and more aggressively tuned than their non M counterparts.

[Asmod3us]

S50 makes for an easier swap, as its already OBDI. However, an OBDI swapped S52 (especially if you do the full swap including intake manifold) will give you better performance. Both would be capable of a good amount of HP with a turbo, but if you're looking to go for a high HP turbo, I'd likely do an OBDI M52.

Whichever path you choose, shoot me a PM when you're ready to buy a swap. I've got them all available

[pbonsalb]

There is a good answer. Instead of spending $2500+ on a motor swap, turbo your existing motor.

[qnz30]

S50 makes for an easier swap, as its already OBDI. However, an OBDI swapped S52 (especially if you do the full swap including intake manifold) will give you better performance. Both would be capable of a good amount of HP with a turbo, but if you're looking to go for a high HP turbo, I'd likely do an OBDI M52.

Whichever path you choose, shoot me a PM when you're ready to buy a swap. I've got them all available

its not letting me send pms. so email me at jslapshot4@aol.com with what u have and ur recomenations. i know i want more bhp and more mod options than the m50 before i go turbo.
-thanks

[sar5036]

the m52 responds better to boost IIRC...better compression. s52 does have more torque than the s50, but the idea that s50 is better for turbo is really irrelevant now because OBDII tuning has gotten better.

[Nataliator]

Is that the only difference between the s50 and s52? Why would BMW make a whole different motor for just 15 ft/lb of torque?

s50 - obd1, 3.0 liter motor
s52 - obd2, 3.2 liter motor

Easier conversion for him would be s50 since its already obd1, but more powerful option is certainly an obd1 s52.


the m52 responds better to boost IIRC...better compression. s52 does have more torque than the s50, but the idea that s50 is better for turbo is really irrelevant now because OBDII tuning has gotten better.

Its not really irrelevant, because regardless of tuning potential, the reason the s50 is better for FI is because it is ALWAYS easier to tune an obd1 system than it is to tune an obd2 system.

[jskin1510]

I haven't personally delt with FI yet, however from what I've learned it sounds like obd 1 s52 might be your best bet. obd 1's are a lot easier to tune with replacing the stock chip with one programmed for your DME as opposed to flashing the software of an obd 2 DME. the s52 i think does have a little more torque. The other thing is with the s52 you can do the m/s50 manifold swap for a little more top end you'd probably be at 250hp at the crank with just that and a tune for it.

Either way both motors are 240hp stock, but the s52 has the more restrictive manifold that you can change and get more top end. The wiring harness, DME, and the fact that the s52 is a 3.2 as opposed to a 3.0 i believe are the only main differences.

[1rstbmw!]

I haven't personally delt with FI yet, however from what I've learned it sounds like obd 1 s52 might be your best bet. obd 1's are a lot easier to tune with replacing the stock chip with one programmed for your DME as opposed to flashing the software of an obd 2 DME. the s52 i think does have a little more torque. The other thing is with the s52 you can do the m/s50 manifold swap for a little more top end you'd probably be at 250hp at the crank with just that and a tune for it.

Either way both motors are 240hp stock, but the s52 has the more restrictive manifold that you can change and get more top end. The wiring harness, DME, and the fact that the s52 is a 3.2 as opposed to a 3.0 i believe are the only main differences.

He's talking about WHP. They range from 205-215 or so stock.